Request Info
Visit
ApplyAbout
Chair
Sarah Kerrigan, PhD
Faculty
Joan Bytheway, Jasmine Drake, David Gangitano, Sheree Hughes-Stamm, Sarah Kerrigan, Jorn Yu.
Staff
Kelsie Bryand, Karen Caldwell.
Mission Our mission is to provide students the knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare them for successful careers in forensic science. This mission is accomplished through academic coursework, hands-on experience in the laboratory, research and the completion of an internship in a forensic science laboratory.
Contact Information
Kelsie Bryand, MS.
936.294.4370
Academic Programs
The Department of Forensic Science offers two minor degrees, a master’s degree, and a doctoral degree.
- Minor in Forensic Anthropology
- Minor in Forensic Science
- Master of Science in Forensic Science (Graduate)
- Doctoral degree in Forensic Science (Graduate)
Highlights
The Master of Science in Forensic Science is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). The program itself was established in 2001 and was the very first accredited program in Texas. The program gives students the flexibility to tailor a degree toward their individual interests and professional goals while working in a state-of-the art facility. We have been preparing students for careers in forensic science for over a decade, with proven success.
Career Opportunities
The forensic science program is designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in forensic science. Students not only develop scientific understanding essential to forensic science, but also acquire the practical skills, knowledge and problem solving abilities that will help them advance into leadership positions. Through extensive hands-on and laboratory instruction, students acquire the practical skills that are sought after by potential employers.
Student Organizations and Activities
- Society of Forensic Science
- Graduate Student Organization (Criminal Justice)
Internships
The Department of forensic science partners with more than fifty agencies for forensic science internships throughout the United States. All students in the Master of Science program must successfully complete a forensic science internship. Most students elect to do this within an accredited crime laboratory or medical examiner’s office. The department does not facilitate internships for students from other colleges or universities.
Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities, assistantships, and financial assistance are available. Student assistantships and scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis based upon academic performance, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and previous laboratory experience.
Financial awards are available, including out-of-state tuition waivers. University policy requires all students to pay in-state tuition.
Information on specific scholarships available in the College of Criminal Justice are available through Cutty Gilbert (cutty@shsu.edu) at 936.294.3755 .
Please see the College of Criminal Justice section for information on college and university level scholarships.
Minor in Forensic Anthropology
Minor in Forensic Science
A minor in Forensic Science requires the completion of 18 credit hours from the following list of courses, of which at least six credits must be 400-level courses. This minor is most suitably paired with Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Psychology but is not limited to these majors.
